Bordigani seats

[tryphon]

Hello to all,

We plan to have a batch or Bordigari seats remade in Italy. These were originally fitted to the factory raced Stratos (Munari et.al.).
If we manage to get 40 firm orders the price will be around 350 euros per seat.
We already have interest in 20 seats. I'm sure a lot of you will be interested in these so please don't hesitate to express your interest....

Cheers,
Tryphon

[guy mayers]

I think I know what they look like but can you post a picture to remind those who don't Tryphon?
Guy

[tryphon]

I'm afraid I only have this one. They look a bit like the seats found in 124 Abarth cars but are narrower in their lower section.

These seats are just impossible to find as originals, a situation much worse than with Campagnolo wheels before we started the project to reproduce them.

An idea can also be had here:
http://www.reoriginals.com/Images/uph/seats/fixed-3.gif
but these are not exactly the same.

The seats in question where a perfect fit for the Group 4 cars. Low and narrow enough to fit the Stratos cockpit.

Just a note for those competition minded. All retro or retro-looking seats are no longer homologated for competition use, so the repros will not be either. They do, however, qualify for historic races.

[Randle Roberts]

Tryphon,

I sent you a PM on this subject.

Randle

[Vince Abbott]

Hello Typhon,

I'm very interested in a pair of seats, if the process is as smooth as the one Guy organised with the reproduction wheels then you can count me in.

Will the seats be a 100% reproduction or will some compromises have to be made with either construction or material?

Vince.

[Stephenos]

Hmmmmm...
I looked at the photo you attached and thought, gee that looks like it would do the business all right but...
It doesn't look like the group 4 car seats I've seen in my books or on the web.
Now I understand that recent photo's of cars that have been upgraded for competition would, as pointed out, have seats manufactured to meet the later reg's. But, I have the following period photos of cars and the seats look somewhat different. Just wondering why.
Could it be that the one you show was for a specific car / race / team, limited production run?
Or, is this a case of P-BAM (Parts-Bin Assembly Method)?
Being the owner's of two Ducati's the wife and I have first hand knowledge of this marvel of Italian manufacturing practices. What ever is in the parts bin is what gets put on the vehicle.

[Stephenos]

Or....
Has the seat you show been modified?
It seems to have far less padding.

[tryphon]

The picture I posted shows the seat in Munari's Montecarlo winning car. This must be the most original and well preserved car in the world (I'm sure some know whose car it is).
The pictures Stephenos posted are indeed showing what we are trying to achieve.

My goal is to see what interest there is in the seats and if sufficient numbers can be ordered so that we have them remanufactured.

As soon as I have the exact spec and shape I'll post but the picture in Stephenos post that shows the seat front is what we're looking for.

[Chris J]

Stephenos

Those seats in the black and white photo of the Chequered Flag car are the Paddy Hopkirk branded (or was it Billover?) seats that were available from many stockists in the 1970s.

[Stephenos]

Originally posted by Chris J
Stephenos

Those seats in the black and white photo of the Chequered Flag car are the Paddy Hopkirk branded (or was it Billover?) seats that were available from many stockists in the 1970s.

Ahhhhh.... that explains it. They looked similar but not exactly the same.
In doing a little more reading I find that the black & white photo is of the second Chequered Flag car, TOL 80932. As reported in Autocar Nov. '82 ... " In 1978 Warner found a sick and damaged works racer in Kenya, brought it home and rebuilt it."

As dear old mom pointed out to me many, many years ago;
"The problem with bucket seats is, not everyone has the same size bucket!"

So it also stands to reason that professional drivers would have modified or replaced the seats to suit them.
Today top drivers in all forms of racing have seats moulded specifically for them.

What ever you find and decide on, good luck with this project. This sounds like a fantastic idea for people who are looking to restore an original car or build a close replica.

Me? Well if I should ever find myself in a financial position which would allow me to purchase a Stratos, I'll be happy to take what ever seats are in it. ;)

[Cloggie]

Originally posted by tryphon
The picture I posted shows the seat in Munari's Montecarlo winning car. This must be the most original and well preserved car in the world (I'm sure some know whose car it is).

Tryphon,
As per Vince's comments, if the purchasing process runs as smoothly as the Wheel project did, then I'm also interested in a pair of seats. Please confirm final price and delivery....

Regarding the Munari's MC winning car, I'm sure it's the TON 41648 car owned by Guido Avandero, Biella, who is a good friend of Claudio Maglioli. I've attached a picture in the gallery taken when a group from the club visited his private collection of 4 Strat's (+ some very nice other cars) in 2000.

I'll see if we've got any other pictures of the seats in our archives if you think it'll help your seat project. Please let me know.

Cheers, Nico/

[Cloggie]

Tryphon,
I just had a look at some more pictures of the interior of the above car, and noticed that the driver seat had split !!!

Looks like you might want to get in touch with Guido too!!

Cheers, Nico/

[Stephenos]

Originally posted by Cloggie

Regarding the Munari's MC winning car, I'm sure it's the TON 41648 car owned by Guido Avandero, Biella, who is a good friend of Claudio Maglioli. I've attached a picture in the gallery taken when a group from the club visited his private collection of 4 Strat's (+ some very nice other cars) in 2000.


Aaaahhh, that's the same collection shown on the Darniche DVD "La Lancia Stratos", right?. :cool:
And how about that shop of Maglioli's, WOW!

Sorry, I'm getting off topic....

[tryphon]

Originally posted by Cloggie


Tryphon,
As per Vince's comments, if the purchasing process runs as smoothly as the Wheel project did, then I'm also interested in a pair of seats. Please confirm final price and delivery....

Regarding the Munari's MC winning car, I'm sure it's the TON 41648 car owned by Guido Avandero, Biella, who is a good friend of Claudio Maglioli. I've attached a picture in the gallery taken when a group from the club visited his private collection of 4 Strat's (+ some very nice other cars) in 2000.

I'll see if we've got any other pictures of the seats in our archives if you think it'll help your seat project. Please let me know.

Cheers, Nico/

I'll try my best regarding the organizing. What's of interest right now is to see who wants a pair or more.

No it's not that car...

If you have more seat pictures please post them Nico.

Cheers,
Tryphon

[guy mayers]

Now why didn't the reply I posted the other night turn up?? It must be me and my ineptitude with all things electronic!

Tryphon, can you also put my name down for a pair on the proviso that prices remain as quoted? I may even drive to Italy to collect them if I can find some suitable throwaway temporary seats! If you need any assistance on fundholding for the consortium please let me know, especially if this will help get the project off the ground quicker, I can handle it exactly the same way as the wheels project.
Guy

[chris.richard]

Originally posted by guy mayers
I may even drive to Italy to collect them if I can find some suitable throwaway temporary seats!

Guy, I might be able to help you there. FOC to you, delivered to Abingdon (http://www.stratossupersite.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=689&highlight=seats)

[guy mayers]

Very kind offer sir! Thinking along the lines of drive to Italy before/after the Monte Carlo Rally route retrace next year - fancy navigating?
Guy

[tryphon]

The news:

I asked Roberto Cassetta about the seats and guess what, he has had them remade already using original moldings and the same trimming materials as the originals.
The price is 350 euros each.

I'm going to Turin tomorrow to visit him for another part I will have a look at the seats and probably collect 6 of them for me and friends here. I will let you know and post pictures here.

If Roberto has enough seats and can have some more made we'll only have to organize the transport with him.

It's funny how things go in Italy. We had a contact who had a contact who knew someone, ..., it ends up the someone in question was finally Roberto.

Tryphon.

[Mel Lewis]

Hi chaps,
I dont want to throw cold water on this project, but that seat looks as though it was designed for a skinny twenty-something year old Italian. I would suggest to any fourty to fifty year old prospective buyers to mesure there arse before making there order.:D
Please note I wont be ordering a pair, Im afraid not even a navigator seat :(

[tryphon]

I looks like only YOUNG Markku Alèn will fit but looks are deceiving.
Trust me almost everyone will fit in them, that's the beauty and magic of these seats. If you fit in a Stratos you'll fit in the seat, almost 100% sure.

[tryphon]

Pictures of the seats are in the gallery now. They can be had in vinyl/velour or velour/velour and they have provision for 5 point belts. Price 350 euros each, weight 7.5Kg

Roberto also makes perfect replica seats similar to those found in the Chardonnet cars that look much more modern. These should allow a driver with a helmet without a problem as the seat's bottom touches the floorpan. However they are twice as expensive compared to the Bordigari replicas as they require a lot more work and 2 jigs. The left and right ones are also different.

If anyone else is interested please contact Roberto Cassetta.

Cheers,
Tryphon